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Your first “big kid” home. It’s a scary, exhilarating and liberating thing, all wrapped into one. But here’s the deal – often it takes awhile to get settled, organized and get into a routine. The transition into the “real world” can be hard enough, if your place doesn’t feel like your home, or makes you anxious because nothing has a place; it makes that transition even harder.

Do yourself a solid and start collecting small items now that will make your future home relaxing, clean, and put together. Whether you’re looking to get organized, stay healthy, or save the environment, we’ve got you covered.

To make your place homey:

Bulldog Clips

Let your art speak for itself. Who needs bulky (and weirdly expensive) frames when you can go the more artistic route? Art clamps are a minimalist’s dream for bedroom decorating.

Mini Speaker

Take out your ear buds and stay for a while. You deserve a home that’s cozy, beautiful and filled with your favorite music. Invest in a Bluetooth speaker with great sound and you’ll be feeling right at home sweet home.

Cute Coasters

Protect your coffee table and look like a grown up with bright coasters that show off your place’s style. Whether you DIY them or find quirky ones at a second-hand shop, this is a fun way to bring color into your house.

To save you major cash:

French Press

It’s no secret so many of us are addicted to coffee. But do our wallets really need to take such a hard hit? Instead of spending three bucks on coffee a day, buy yourself a beautiful French press. You’ll save $90 a month by brewing your cup of joe at home.

Energy-saving Outlet Cover

You know all that time you leave your hair dryer, curling iron, phone charger, etc. plugged in but aren’t using them? You’re still drawing the energy out of your outlet (and increasing your energy bill). If you’re someone who forgets to unplug, save yourself some major cash with an energy-saving outlet cover.

To keep your place clean and organized:

Bed Risers

Chances are your room is tiny and you need some serious space. The best way to make room, without adding clutter, is mounting your bed on bed risers. Give your bed a good lift, clean out the dust bunnies and make space for storage units underneath.

Quirky Catchall Tray

You know all those little things that have no real place? Hair clips? Jewelry? Things that kind of live at the bottom of your purse, but are still important? They deserve a spot to live in your room. By buying a cheap catchall tray, you can keep all those essential trinkets in one pretty piece of pottery.

Velvet Hangers

Say bye-bye to clunky plastic hangers and hello to these chic babies. Using velvet hangers is a simple change that will leave your closet less bulky and more streamlined. It may not be a Carrie Bradshaw dream closet yet, but it’s a start.

Key Hooks

If only we could get back all the time we’ve frantically spent running around our apartments looking for our keys. Keep yourself organized and have a designated spot that you always hang your keys. There are so many cute key hooks with message boards so you and your roomies can also leave each other cute notes, or reminders to get more TP.

Plastic Storage Bags

Wooden Crates

Have a fruit market in your neighborhood? How about a grocery store? Ask the employees if you can have a few fruit crates for storage. Not only do they add great storage and rustic look, but if you get the right person at the store, you can get them free of charge.

To save the environment:

Dish Drying Rack

Do we really need to run our dishwashers that much? For big pots and pans that take an entire load to finish, try washing by hand. The more you let dry on a drying rack, the more water you’ll save. Win!

Reusable Coffee Cup

The no-brainer way to stay environmentally friendly? Stick with a reusable coffee cup or water bottle. There are plenty of brands that make beautifully designed cups that are cooler than any plastic bottle out there.

Separated Recycling Bins

It’s 2017, so if you’re not recycling, it’s time for you to jump on the train. Make it easy on yourself by buying a recycling separator that divides the trash for you. Saving the world is as easy as paper, plastic, can.

Reusable Grocery Bags

Who needs all those plastic bags anyway? Stock up on some cute canvas bags to hold your groceries and give the environment a break. Not only are you saving the environment, but you’re giving yourself an excuse to buy some new cute bags too. Boom!

Laundry Drying Rack

To keep you healthy:

Silk Pillowcase

Silk pillowcases are luxurious and they’re not just for George Michael music videos anymore. (Yes ‘Careless Whispers’ we’re looking at you.) Silk pillowcases are great for your skin and hair and you can get them for pretty cheap if you search hard enough. Yes, beauty sleep is as easy as changing your sheets to something a bit more glamorous.

Plants

Adding some green to your room is not only a huge design win, it’s actually good for your health! Indoor potted plants help purify the air and increase oxygen in the room helping you sleep better and relax.

Lavender Essential Oil

So your room is looking cute, spacious and homey but you’re missing one essential thing: the sleep-ability factor. By adding lavender essential oil to your skin before you go to sleep, you’ll have a much easier time getting beauty rest.

Co-founder, Creative Director
Her heart belongs to: leather jackets, live music, Moscow Mules and getting that perfect pictureHer guilty pleasures: frequenting the taco truck down the street a minimum of two times a week and talking to strangers' dogs in Central Park

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